Lebanon mining equipment maker laying off 45 more

Joy Global, a mining equipment manufacturer, plans to lay off 45 more employees at its Lebanon plant.

The Milwaukee-based company disclosed the actions, which are expected to be taken by Oct. 26, in a filing that government officials require before large layoffs.

In July, the company announced it would lay off 37 of its 176 employees at the time later that month. In its most recent filing, the company noted it now has 137 employees before the layoff of 45 more.

In the filing, Joy Global human resources manager Mary Cambron noted the company is "experiencing a temporary decrease in customer orders."

Explore where you live.

"Joy is unclear as to the length of this down market, but we will continue working to bring as many products into our plant as possible to negate the effect this will have on our workforce and the community," she wrote.

Cambron could not be reached for comment.

The company has other operations in the state, including in Millersburg and Salyersville, according to its Web site.

The layoffs are another blow to Kentucky's mining industry, which has mirrored slumps nationally as utilities have begun switching from coal to natural gas-fired power plants to comply with federal environmental regulations. Also, a warm winter decreased demand for coal-produced electricity.

In June, coal company Alpha Natural Resources announced it will shut down three underground mines and one surface mine and idle two preparation plants in Kentucky. The changes will cut 436 jobs, though 286 employees were expected to be offered jobs at other Alpha facilities in Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.

Also, in April, Sapphire Coal Co. in Whitesburg announced plans to close its Advantage mine in the area and lay off its 163 workers.